UNWTO's open letter campaign enlists India

UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) today handed over an 'open letter' to Vice President Hamid Ansari as part of an effort urging leaders from across the world to position travel and tourism higher on the global agenda.
The letter was handed over by UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai, who was accompanied by Union Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi. The letter was also signed by President and CEO of World Travel and Tourism Council David Scowsill.
The aim is to send a message to the world the message of according high priority to the development of the tourism sector for promoting employment opportunities and economic development, said a government statement.

Launched in 2011, the open letter campaign has so far enlisted 47 countries.
The letter states that travel and tourism currently accounts directly and indirectly for about 3 per cent to 5 per cent of global GDP, as well as 30 per cent of the world's export of services.
It also states that total contribution of travel and tourism to employment-including jobs indirectly supported by the sector is estimated at 7 per cent to 8 per cent.
This makes Travel & Tourism a vital contributor to the global development agenda, affording it a unique role in building strong, sustainable and balanced global growth, the latter underscores.